Dublin to host prestigious award for gifted young scientists next year

May 29th, 2017

The prestigious European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in Dublin next year, the Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton has announced.

The pan-European annual event will be held in Ireland next September for the first time since 2004. Ireland has enjoyed great success at the contest, with 14 overall winners over the last 28 years.

Organised by the European Commission, the EUCYS promotes co-operation and exchange of ideas between promising young scientists across all 28 member states.

In order to qualify for the event, participants must qualify from their own countries’ national exhibition, which in Ireland’s case is the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

The EUGYS gives students the opportunity to compete against their European counterparts as well meet with like-minded peers under the direction some of the most prominent scientists in Europe.

Minister Bruton said that it was a “fantastic achievement” for the country to be selected to host the contest on its 30th anniversary.

“As Minister for Education and Skills, I want Ireland to be a world leader in STEM education,” he added. “Initiatives such as this play an important role in raising awareness and engagement around science and technology and the impact it has on every aspect of our lives.”

Commenting on the announcement, Mari Cahalane, Head of BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition said she was “delighted” that Ireland will host the event in 2018.

“The international students who will take part are the innovators and scientific leaders of tomorrow, and that is why it is so important that Ireland shows them the welcome they deserve next year,” she added.

Just last week, Ireland’s greenest teens were honoured for their innovative environmental projects at the 18th edition of the Young Environmentalist Awards.

The event was run by ECO-UNESCO, Ireland’s Environmental Education and Youth Organisation working to conserve the environment and empower young people.

Winners at this year’s competition included bio-diverse habitats for bees; the design of a new, sustainable school, as well the creation and development of micro-bead free, organic beauty products.

About the Author

Kate O’Brien